Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 29, 2026

Planting zone for 53263 — Milwaukee, WI

ZIP code 53263 (Milwaukee, Milwaukee County) is in USDA zone 5b: the coldest winter night averages −15 to −10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 26 and the first fall frost October 18.

Where ZIP 53263 is

tap the map for the zone at any spot · scroll or pinch to zoom

Not the official USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Zones come from the 2023 USDA hardiness-zone data by the PRISM Group, Oregon State University; we re-mapped and recolored them. The official map is at planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.

Zone5b−15 to −10 °F

Coldest night−26.1 to −23.3 °C

Last frostApr 26

First frostOct 18

2012 zone5b

Same zone as on the 2012 map. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 5b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Milwaukee, WI…

Forecast data: National Weather Service (api.weather.gov), public domain. This is not a warning service — for official frost and freeze warnings see weather.gov.

Frost dates in Milwaukee, WI

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free

Last spring frostApril 26median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 12only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 18median — 10% chance by Oct 2

Growing season173 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 14 and returns around October 30.

From the NOAA station Mt Mary College, WI — 2 miles away, elevation 715 ft. NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, 32 °F threshold. Low spots and valleys can freeze later in spring than the station.

When to plant vegetables in 53263

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 15 – Apr 5

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 15 – Mar 1

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 5 – Apr 19

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 1 – Mar 15

TomatoesTransplant · May 3 – May 17

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 15 – Mar 1

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 10 – May 24

BeansSow outdoors · May 3 – May 17

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 3 – May 17

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 3 – May 17

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 23 – Sep 6

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 4 – Nov 8

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 26) and first fall frost (Oct 18) with the rules of thumb U.S. extension services publish. Cool-season crops take a light frost; warm-season crops do best once the soil is above about 60 °F.

When spring arrived in 2026

In 2026, spring leaf-out near 53263 came on Mar 30 — 13 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 12).

average
Apr 122026
Mar 30

JanFebMarAprMayJun

The Spring Index marks the day when accumulated warmth is enough for lilac and honeysuckle to leaf out — a widely used signal that the growing season has started. Source: USA National Phenology Network, www.usanpn.org — Spring Indices, first leaf, 2026 (data as of 2026-09-08) and 30-year average 1991–2020 (CC BY 4.0).

Native plants for zone 5b in Wisconsin

518 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Wisconsin, and rated by the USDA to survive −15 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 5b. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Source: USDA, NRCS. 2026. The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov), National Plant Data Team — state distribution, native status and the “Temperature, Minimum” characteristic. Check light, moisture and soil needs before buying; local nurseries and your state native plant society can confirm what thrives in Milwaukee, WI.

Soil in Milwaukee, WI

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 53263 is Ashkum, poorly drained.

DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Clayey land.

Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA. Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) Database, via Soil Data Access, accessed 2026-10-29. The soil at the center point of ZIP 53263; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Milwaukee, WI

Summer high83 °Faverage high, July

Winter low14 °Faverage low, January

Hot days17days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights134nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,804base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 22 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 00 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)

Precipitation33.8 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall40 inper year; 58 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Mt Mary College, WI (2 mi away); precipitation: Mt Mary College, WI (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 5b.

Brookfield, WI · 2 mi

Brookfield, WI · 3 mi

All 39 ZIP codes in Milwaukee → · Wisconsin planting zones →

Questions about 53263

What planting zone is ZIP code 53263?

ZIP code 53263 (Milwaukee, WI) is in USDA hardiness zone 5b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −15 to −10 °F (−26.1 to −23.3 °C).

When is the last frost in Milwaukee, WI?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 53263 is April 26; after May 12 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Mt Mary College station.

When is the first frost in Milwaukee, WI?

The median first fall frost near 53263 is October 18, giving a median frost-free growing season of 173 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 53263?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 1 – Mar 15 and set transplants outside around May 3 – May 17, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 53263 get?

About 33.8 inches of precipitation a year and 40 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Mt Mary College station).

How hot do summers get in Milwaukee, WI?

The average high peaks at 83 °F in July, with about 17 days a year at 90 °F or more.

Did spring come early in Milwaukee, WI in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 53263 came on Mar 30 in 2026, 13 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 12), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Milwaukee, WI?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 53263 is 15 h 22 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).